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First world pool problem
Apr. 7th, 2016 04:39 pmFor the last couple of months, the pump for our swimming pool has been intermittently malfunctioning. When the timer clicks over, instead of the pump starting up, there is a loud buzzing sound for about 3 seconds, then nothing. A minute later the same thing happens. Sometimes after four or five tries, it catches and the pump starts, but not always. I have to go out and manually turn off the timer to make it stop. It's really loud and I don't want to annoy the neighbors, as well as disturb our own sleep (it usually runs at night).
A few weeks ago I called our pool service and asked them to look at it. They sent a guy over. He flicked the power switch on the timer a few times and said, "Sounds like your pump is bad. You need a new one." Now, we replaced the original pump about three years ago at a cost of $1200, and I would think it should last longer than three years. Or that they would offer to try to repair it. Nope, need a new pump. Oh, by the way, the guy said, I can get you a used one for $400 and install it for you, on my own (wink wink). I said I'd think about it.
After a few weeks of it sort of working most of the time, today it started buzzing about 3:00PM. It wouldn't stop. I manually reset the timer to shut it up, then did what I should have long ago--Googled "pool pump buzz." I got a lot of hits, including this video which exactly describes what's happening:
https://youtu.be/y-yQCDSTtPw
I turned off the breaker to the pump and removed the capacitor exactly as shown in the video. Went on Amazon and found the same one for $12.50 with free shipping. It will be here in two days. It will take all of 5 minutes to replace.
Assuming this works, and I'm sure it will, I've just saved $1187.50. If it does work, I plan to contact my pool service and let them know I don't appreciate being taken for a ride. I will also contact Lucy's Pools, and thank them for the tip.
A few weeks ago I called our pool service and asked them to look at it. They sent a guy over. He flicked the power switch on the timer a few times and said, "Sounds like your pump is bad. You need a new one." Now, we replaced the original pump about three years ago at a cost of $1200, and I would think it should last longer than three years. Or that they would offer to try to repair it. Nope, need a new pump. Oh, by the way, the guy said, I can get you a used one for $400 and install it for you, on my own (wink wink). I said I'd think about it.
After a few weeks of it sort of working most of the time, today it started buzzing about 3:00PM. It wouldn't stop. I manually reset the timer to shut it up, then did what I should have long ago--Googled "pool pump buzz." I got a lot of hits, including this video which exactly describes what's happening:
https://youtu.be/y-yQCDSTtPw
I turned off the breaker to the pump and removed the capacitor exactly as shown in the video. Went on Amazon and found the same one for $12.50 with free shipping. It will be here in two days. It will take all of 5 minutes to replace.
Assuming this works, and I'm sure it will, I've just saved $1187.50. If it does work, I plan to contact my pool service and let them know I don't appreciate being taken for a ride. I will also contact Lucy's Pools, and thank them for the tip.
